Posts Tagged sharp dance company

National touring artists such as SHARP Dance Company (shown here performing a selection from their original piece Blind Faith) make historic venues such as Rochester Opera House come alive. SHARP comes to Rochester May 8th. Tickets 603-335-1992

Local Group Links Community Artists Together to Fill Beloved Old Landmark Performance Spaces

One local group of performers has made itself into a key link amongst a growing network of individual artists, performers, and dancers who live for the thrill of performing in classic theatrical stage venues. While a small group of performers themselves may not have the mass necessary to pull off a performance at mid-size venues like the Rochester Opera House and similar classic theaters, the ARTSFEST Performing Arts Company has found that they can build the necessary mass by drawing on talented people in the surrounding community where they are performing. A classic example of this leveraging strategy is their upcoming 2010 Showcase performance at the Rochester Opera House on May 8th.

Erin Lovett Sherman (shown here at a recent fundraiser for a local community theater group) uses her network of contacts to bring artists of all kinds together for unique and entertaining performances. Erin's ARTSFEST Showcase 2010 is May 8th at Historic Rochester Opera House.

Creative Director of ARTSFEST Dance Company Erin Lovett Sherman has used her networking skills to bring together talented performers from the Lakes and Seacoast Regions of New Hampshire to create the dream opportunity for community artists to perform in the landmark historic theaters in the state. Some of the acts in the upcoming Rochester Opera House performance include a relatively new Barbershop Quartet, Lake City Sound. Other performers include Relevation, a Reggae Jam band, Xtreme Dance Productions (Broadway dance numbers) and several comedic sketches and song and dance numbers from the outrageous Tabula Rasa/ARTSFEST joint production of “A Good Ole Burlesque Show” which recently sold out performance space at the Historic Franklin Opera House to rave reviews.

Also featured in the upcoming May 8th ARTSFEST 2010 Showcase will be SHARP Dance Company of Philadelphia, PA. By bring in a national touring group like SHARP, ARTSFEST has reached beyond the borders of the Granite State to invite professional dancers from SHARP to perform some of their signature original thematic dance pieces. Adding SHARP Dance Company to the playbill for the evening really is the icing on the cake for the show, adding something so special even the ARTSFEST performers can’t wait to see and experience it.

The beauty of this sort of collaboration is that everyone involve ends up benefiting. The historic venues like the Rochester and Franklin Opera Houses get to host the types and kinds of acts they were originally designed for. The national/traveling artists are able to travel light, relying on the local acts to provide and handle the space, production, and much of the technical aspects of putting on a show. Similarly, the local artists such as ARTSFEST have the opportunity to showcase their own unique talents while finding joy and inspiration in seeing the creative talents of others. Finally the community has the opportunity to share the performance experience with a great deal of civic pride in their own unique and special historic theater.

Providing the opportunity for young and talented community artists never gets old. Seeing local performers develop and expand their skills while also enjoying the wonder and creative inspirations of others makes ARTSFEST’s Showcase performances a great source of pride and enjoyment for the Granite State.

Community members are welcome to come to the May 8th ARTSFEST Showcase at the lovely Rochester Opera House. Show time is at 7pm, tickets are $16-18 and available at 603-335-1992 or online at www.rochersteroperahouse.com

Mike Manning and Alison Henchey rehearse a lift prior to the upcoming ARTSFEST Showcase May 8th at Historic Rochester Opera House

Cody James forms the center of Relevation's unique sound. Relevation will be performing as part of the ARTSFEST Showcase May 8th at the Rochester Opera House

Featured Artist: SHARP Dance Company of Philadelphia, PA

ArtsFest Showcase 2010 Features SHARP Dance Company

Rochester NH –
ARTSFEST SHOWCASE is a dynamic mix of Dance, Music, Comedy, Theatre and Art, and this year’s show won’t disappoint, bringing together home grown performing artists from NH and reaching out to our friends from the Mid-Atlantic States to share their talents with our great state.

May 8th’s “2010 Showcase” features SHARP DANCE COMPANY from Philadelphia – a modern thematic performance dance company. SHARP Dance Company brings to the stage modern thematic dance, and will be featuring two exquisite pieces – Blind Faith (part 3) and Woman’s Story (part 2). In “Blind Faith (part 3)” audiences will be inspired by the performance featuring a 34 foot long skirt designed by Brian Strachan revealing the strong helping the weak through trust and faith.

In woman’s story (part 2) “A Women’s Quartet” the performance reveals a woman’s ability to overcome personal and social obstacles. “Woman’s Story” empowers and celebrates the vitality, beauty, grace, and individuality of women and how they can and share these strengths with other women in their lives.

Formed in 2005 by Diane Sharp-Nachsin, SHARP Dance Company is quickly becoming recognized for their combination of inspired artistry, imagination capturing “stories of performance” and the discipline required of such performance mastery. They feature professionally trained dancers from both the Philadelphia area and some of the Mid-Atlantic States. Their mission is to translate raw human emotion utilizing contemporary movement to connect the audience through individual interpretation. SHARP is a modern dance company, and its theory of “Meaning behind Movement” is showed prominently throughout their work. SHARP feels that dance should be more than a performance; it should be an experience. We at ARTSFEST think you’ll agree your experience will be fantastic, and we are THRILLED to bring them to NH.

ARTSFEST performing artists pose for a group shot for their upcoming 2010 showcase May 8th at the Rochester Opera House. Pictured are (back from left) Simone Henderson, Briana Plume, Alison Henchey, Barry Livingstone, Kevin Borella, Amanda O'Riordan and (front L to R) Rori Dawes and Nicole Buttermore. Tickets are on sale at www.rochesteroperahouse.com or by phone (603) 335-1992. Don't miss this one time only event!

Also performing May 8th will be ARTSFEST friends RELEVATION, an original Reggae jam band from NH, featuring their irresistible lively sound that just keeps you moving. Joining SHARP and RELEVATION will be the ARTSFEST DANCE COMPANY, performing their Hip Hop style numbers. They will be joined by their outrageous counterparts, the comedy skits of the ARTSFEST PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY.

Tickets ($16-$18) are on sale at Rochester Opera House box office, through the Opera House website (http://www.rochesteroperahouse.com), or via phone (603) 335-1992. The Opera House and ARTSFEST would like to thank major season sponsors Eastern Propane & Oil, L. Wynn Sound, Citadel Broadcasting Corp., Foster’s Daily Democrat, and Holy Rosary Credit Union.

You won’t want to miss this incredibly entertaining, one night only, one of a kind performance of professional artists from New England and beyond.